Breath tester

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a breath tester. The breath tester includes a sensor for sensing a mind-altering substance in breath from a blower (i.e. person blowing an providing a sample). A breath guide is provided for guiding the breath so that it is not returned to the blower. Advantageously, the guide guides the breath so that it is not returned to the blower to thereby minimise the likelihood of spread of infectious disease.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a breath tester. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to breath testers for testing the presence of mind-altering substances, and alcohol in particular.

BACKGROUND

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Mind-altering substances can impair human performance. Employers can test their employees for mind-altering substances such as alcohol or drugs with a view of ensuring optimum results and compliance in the workplace.

Some workplaces are fitted with wall mounted alcohol breath testers. Workers may be required to pass the test prior to commencing work. In some countries, infectious diseases such as tuberculosis are rife which presents a health risk for workers undertaking testing using the same breath tester.

The preferred embodiment provides an improved breath tester for minimizing the likelihood of spread of infectious disease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breath tester including:

a sensor for sensing a mind-altering substance, the mind altering substance including alcohol, in breath from a blower; and

a breath guide including:

-   -   at least one wall,     -   an outwardly facing surface for guiding breath from a blower         towards the sensor, and     -   an inwardly facing surface for guiding the breath laterally so         that it is not returned directly to the blower;

wherein the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface form opposing sides of the wall.

The guide guides the breath so that it is not returned to the blower to thereby minimise the likelihood of spread of infectious disease.

The guide may include a breath receptacle for receiving breath from the blower. The receptacle may include a funnel.

The guide may further include breath diversion means for diverting the received breath so that it is not returned to the blower. The breath diversion means may include the funnel. The breath diversion means may further include a well for receiving the guide. The guide may include a wall supporting the funnel. The wall may define one or more apertures through which diverted breath passes.

The breath tester may further include a display for displaying the result of the test. The result may be pass or fail.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breath guide for a breath tester, including a sensor for sensing a mind-altering substance, the mind altering substance including alcohol, in breath from a blower the guide including:

a breath receptacle for receiving breath from a blower; and

breath diverter including:

-   -   at least one wall,     -   an outwardly facing surface for guiding breath from a blower         towards the sensor, and     -   an inwardly facing surface for diverting the received breath         laterally so that it is not directly returned to the blower;

wherein the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface form opposing sides of the wall.

Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a breath tester in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the breath tester of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a breath guide of the breath tester of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an alcohol breath tester 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The breath tester 100 includes a breath guide 102 for guiding breath so that it is not returned to a blower (i.e. person blowing) undertaking a test. The blower blows into the guide from a distance of about 10 cm and for about 2 seconds. In guiding the breath so that it is not returned to the blower, the guide 102 minimises the likelihood of spread of infectious disease.

Turning to FIG. 2, the breath guide 102 includes a breath receptacle 200 for receiving breath 202 from the blower. The receptacle 200 includes a funnel 204 for funneling the breath 202 toward a sensor 206 in register with the funnel 204. The sensor 206 senses a mind-altering substance in the breath 202.

The guide 102 further includes breath diversion means 208 for diverting the received breath 210, after sensing, so that it is not returned to the blower. The breath diversion means 208 includes the underside of the funnel 204, and a well 212 in the face of the tester 100 which receives the guide 102.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide 102 further includes a side wall 214 supporting the funnel 204. The wall 214 defines apertures 216 through which diverted breath 210 passes out to the side and not back to the blower. In this regard, the guide 102 provides tremendous benefit whereby if it was not present, blown air would simply be returned from the well 212 to the blower along with mucous from previous blowers that may be carrying infectious disease.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the breath tester 100 includes an analyser 220 for analyzing the sensed breath and determining a test result. The analyser 220 only need detect the presence of alcohol for a fail, and issues either a passive pass or fail result. There is no need for pressure sensors or flow rate monitors which are otherwise required to sense the degree of failure (i.e. blood alcohol content).

As can best be seen in FIG. 1, the breath tester 100 includes a display 104 for displaying the result of the test.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. 

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A breath tester including: a sensor for sensing a mind-altering substance, the mind altering substance including alcohol, in breath from a blower; and a breath guide including: at least one wall, an outwardly facing surface for guiding breath from a blower towards the sensor, and an inwardly facing surface for guiding the breath laterally so that it is not returned directly to the blower; wherein the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface form opposing sides of the wall.
 2. A breath tester as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide forms at least a partial barrier to prevent the breath from returning back towards the blower to thereby minimise the likelihood of spread of infectious disease.
 3. A breath tester as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide includes a breath receptacle for receiving breath from the blower.
 4. A breath tester as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receptacle includes a funnel.
 5. A breath tester as claimed in claim 4, wherein the breath guide includes a breath diverter for diverting the received breath so that it is not returned directly to the blower.
 6. A breath tester as claimed in claim 5, wherein the breath diverter includes the funnel.
 7. A breath tester as claimed in claim 1, further including a well for receiving the guide, the well including: a base wall defined by a perimeter, and at least one side wall extending from the base wall, the at least one side wall or walls fully extending around the perimeter of the base wall.
 8. A breath tester as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide includes a support wall for supporting a funnel.
 9. A breath tester as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support wall defines one or more apertures through which diverted breath passes.
 10. A breath tester as claimed in claim 1, further including a display for displaying the result of the test.
 11. A breath tester as claimed in claim 10, wherein the result is a pass or fail.
 12. A breath guide for a breath tester including a sensor for sensing a mind-altering substance, the mind altering substance including alcohol, in breath from a blower, the breath guide including: a breath receptacle for receiving breath from a blower; and a breath diverter including: at least one wall, an outwardly facing surface for guiding breath from a blower towards the sensor, and an inwardly facing surface for diverting the received breath laterally so that it is not directly returned to the blower; wherein the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface form opposing sides of the wall.
 13. A breath guide as claimed in claim 12, wherein the receptacle includes a funnel.
 14. A breath guide as claimed in claim 13, wherein the breath diverter includes the underside of the funnel.
 15. A breath guide as claimed in claim 13, wherein the funnel is arcuate.
 16. A breath guide as claimed in claim 12, received in a well, the well including: a base wall defined by a perimeter, and at least one side wall extending from the base wall, the at least one side wall or walls fully extending around the perimeter of the base wall.
 17. A breath guide as claimed in claim 13, further including a support wall for supporting the funnel.
 18. A breath guide as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support wall defines one or more apertures through which diverted breath passes.
 19. A breath guide as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support wall is cylindrical.
 20. A breath guide as claimed in claim 13, further including the sensor in register with the funnel.
 21. A breath guide as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inwardly facing surface and the support wall are angled relative to one another, the angle being an acute angle.
 22. A breath guide as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inwardly facing surface of the breath guide or breath diverter is concave. 